Telegram-herald., 1887-08-18

Complaints are made from various sec
tions of a band OF baking powder trsmps
whose tricks upon unsuspecGing house
keepers seem TO partske very much If the
nature of confidence operations. The band
is composed Of women, although employed
and directed by an agent Of the other sex,
and their methods Of procedure, a. explain
ed by several ladies who have been
victimized, is a. follows Obtaining access
TO the kitchen, they introduce the subject
of baking powders, inquiring the kind used
in the family. Being shown the can,
perhaps a fresh, full one. they volunteer TO
'test" it 70 ascertain It's qualities. Their
test" consists in placing the can on a hot
stove or over lamp or gas jet. OF in mix
ing the baking powder with water both hot
and cold. II the baking powder is good for
ANYTHING the heat will, Of course, expei the
gas. which. being ammonicsi or carbonic.
is apparent TO the sense of smell. The
claim is then made that this o3oT indicates
something detrimental, although, es a
matter of fact, baking powder that would
give Oh no gas when subjected TO heat
would be without lesvening power and
valueless. They will also mix the bakins
powder given them with water. II pure Il
effervssces quickly. The baking powder
they peddle being similarly mixed feams
up slowly like yeast. standing. perhaps
over the top Of the glass. This they claim
as evidence Of superiority, whereas il is the
exhibition Of trick only. their bakins
powder having been specially prepared 20
make this test by the addition Of four. gum
or aibumen. II is sure evidence Of sdulier-
alton. OF course, the object Of these fraud.
uIspt tricks Is 70 destroy confidence in sll
The particular brand for which the women
are travelling.
Were this the whole Of The operation
housekeeDers would not often be decei we'd
Every intelligent person knows that bfk-
ing powder Is not made 20 be used IN this
way. bat il cooking where its sction - en-
tirelr different from that produced by dry
beat OF By mixture with water alone The
chief obiect of this iuggiery u to destroy
the baking powder given for testing. or bv
hesting II to drive o. its lesveDing gssss
and - weaken Il that when used II will
fsli - work. At Tire next baking there is
heavy food. Of coUrss. and ths tramp
probably gets the credit of harine told abe
bousekeeper . vslusbls fact. instead of
having Spoiled bsr baking powder ss wss
sctusllv TIE case. The average ''trsur1
viii ID this way. destroy from fftv 70
ssvensy-fvs pounds of bsking powder q
dsy.
A second method Of spelling for use the
baking povdsr ia kitchen where they ars
not permitted 10 experiment witt Il = bv
dsxterouxIv throwing II the csn . srnell
caeDfify q salt sods of powdered lime
Egain. sh0uld there chance - be no taking
powder in the bOase. t8e operators vii
rrosBes. - tst kind ssed ~ he family. a
sample that bzs been purposeiy sdni-
fersted a. "d0ctnreo - Bsks sueh a. az
hist a. thsv desire uBdeF the fo-csIfas
fest
The csnsy -s7 - prefect eur f1od from
hang oaBssr1instss by frsups - this kfna
- - fuvn 81 persons wEo vish o. sfferorf
r. tsrrper Win Il unceTsnoniouslv frosn
tie door. and - Use those srtieies only
vhieh expsri isrloe has proved Satisfactory -
fas Official tesss have e s.2blishse - pnrs
sna ~ksissozDs.